DE PERE, Wis. (NBC 26) -- At God's Purpose Apparel in De Pere a local family has created a business that specializes in spreading positive messages, printed on every last one of their hand-crafted shirts.
"It has to be inspired by something. So there always is a story behind each of our words that we put on the shirts," says Brittany Bell the co-owner of God's Purpose Apparel.
Bell and her husband Chris came up with the idea of creating a clothing line that would inspire others. But the messages that they put on their shirts, have a much deeper meaning than what is on the surface.
"One of the parts that we do in our work here at God's Purpose Apparel is give back."
Giving back, for a small business like theirs, can present some challenges. But in a room full of uplifting slogans and words of optimism, the couple is constantly thinking of ways to get the job done in a bigger way by doing more themselves.
"We were able to cut some of the costs so it allows us to be able to give back more," adds Bell.
During the pandemic alone their mom-and-pop shop has donated nearly three thousand dollars to local non-profits. The money they helped generate for them was donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Saint Norbert College's Black Student Union and Saint John's Homeless Shelter.
"For us, it means a lot. Not just to put out a message but to put out something that people are going to feel proud to wear," says Alexa Priddy the Director of Community Engagement for St. John's Ministries.
Priddy says she teamed up with God's Purpose Apparel to help create her own positive thinking fashion line for her church. But to her surprise, the Bells wanted to donate 100 percent of the line's proceeds right back to St. Johns.
"I don't know if there is another business that does what they do. So often it's a portion, but to truly give 100 percent really shows where their heart is."
And while being in the business of making your community a better place might not lead to record profits, it's comforting to know that those with a mission greater than just revenue are taking the steps to make some non-monetary change.
"We've impacted people by our words when they see our apparel and we've impacted people when they are wearing it. But also we've impacted other non-profit organizations by giving back," adds Bell.
You can check out this link to be directed to the God's Purpose Apparel Facebook page.
